It is October 27th (my birthday), and I am acutely aware of the sizable acreage of crops remaining to be harvested in the Midwest.  I think back to previous years and how we always strived to be done harvesting by now, but often ended up finishing closer to Thanksgiving.  I also think about how we used to be satisfied (elated?) with a corn yield of 180 or a soybean yield of 45.  Not in today's environment.

My wife occasionally suggests that I am a pessimist.  I disagree, instead choosing the term realist.  The difference is that I think the critically important things, in whatever you are doing, get done.  Some of the less important ones do not.  The ability to identifiy & target the most important things are what make farmers, farmers.

I am in awe of the diversity, aptitude, skills, and persistence of the American Farmer.  From personal experience, I know that farmers somehow, someway, get things done, and done well.  This fall will be no different.  The harvest will be completed, crop nutrients will be applied, and some tillage will be performed.  Will everything get done?  No, but the things that need to get done, will.

A safe harvest to all!